Nervous System News and Research

Latest Nervous System News and Research

Results from the BLOSSOM trial announced by Arena Pharmaceuticals

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARNA) reported today positive, highly significant top-line results from the BLOSSOM (Behavioral modification and LOrcaserin Second Study for Obesity Management) trial.

18 Sep 2009

Rexahn to sign licensing and stock purchase agreements with Teva Pharmaceutical

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE Amex: RNN), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company commercializing potential best in class oncology and central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics, today announced that it has reached an agreement to close on its previously announced licensing and stock purchase agreements with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited.

18 Sep 2009

FDA approves Valturna tablets for treating high blood pressure

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Valturna((R)) (aliskiren and valsartan) tablets, the first and only medicine to target two key points within the renin system, also known as the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS), an important regulator of blood pressure.

18 Sep 2009

KemPharm announces nomination of its second pipeline candidate

KemPharm, Inc. today announced the nomination of its second pipeline candidate, KP201, based on its proprietary ligand activated therapy (LAT) platform. KP201 is a new chemical entity (NCE) for the treatment of pain with the possibility of reduced abuse potential. KP201 joins lead candidate KP106, which is a novel prodrug candidate in development for ADHD.

16 Sep 2009

Phase 3 clinical study results of bazedoxifene released

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth, announces findings from a placebo-controlled Phase 3 study of bazedoxifene 20 mg extended to five years, which indicated a significant reduction versus placebo in new vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

15 Sep 2009

Alvine Pharmaceuticals raises funds for Phase 2a clinical trial of its lead compound ALV003

Alvine Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapeutics for autoimmune/gastrointestinal diseases, today announced the closing of a $21.5 million extension of its Series A financing.

15 Sep 2009

Biocryst signs agreement with three partners to represent its anti-viral peramivir outside U.S.

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCRX) today announced that it has signed binding letters of intent with three partners who will exclusively represent BioCryst and its anti-viral peramivir for influenza stockpiling opportunities, as well as for marketing and distribution of peramivir for seasonal influenza upon local regulatory approval, within their territories outside the U.S.

15 Sep 2009

Extension study data on Fampridine-SR drug

Data from two long-term open-label extension studies of Fampridine-SR show that 86.0% of participants remained on therapy after a maximum treatment time of 15 months in study MS-F204EXT, and 69.5% remained on therapy after a maximum treatment time of 36 months in study MS-F203EXT.

15 Sep 2009

Alnylam and Medtronic announce pre-clinical research findings from their Huntington’s disease program

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALNY), a leading RNAi therapeutics company, and Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT), the world’s leading developer of medical devices, announced today the presentation of new pre-clinical research findings from their Huntington’s disease program at the 2009 World Congress on Huntington’s Disease held September 12-15, 2009 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

15 Sep 2009

Neurologix to showcase novel gene transfer approach to Parkinson’s disease

Neurologix, Inc. (OTCBB: NRGX), a biotechnology company engaged in the development of innovative gene therapies for the brain and central nervous system, announced today that the company will showcase its novel gene transfer approach to Parkinson’s disease.

15 Sep 2009

Children with microcephaly should be screened for neurologic and cognitive problems, says guideline

A new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology, developed in full collaboration with the Child Neurology Society, finds that children with microcephaly that is, children whose head size is smaller than that of 97 percent of childrenare at risk of neurologic and cognitive problems and should be screened for these problems. The guideline is published in the September 15, 2009, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

15 Sep 2009

Common pain cream could serve as cardiac-protectant during heart attack: Study

New research from the University of Cincinnati (UC) shows that a common, over-the-counter pain salve rubbed on the skin during a heart attack could serve as a cardiac-protectant, preventing or reducing damage to the heart while interventions are administered.

15 Sep 2009

Biotie Therapies commences clinical trial with its phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor ELB353

Biotie has started a clinical trial with its phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor ELB353, having received the prerequisite regulatory and ethical clearances for the clinical trial application.

14 Sep 2009

Phase 2b clinical trial results of Dextofisopam to treat irritable bowel syndrome announced

Pharmos Corporation (Pink Sheets: PARS) announced today the results of its Phase 2b Dextofisopam clinical trial to evaluate safety and efficacy of the compound in irritable bowel syndrome.

14 Sep 2009

New data confirm link between Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis

Over the last 40 years, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been repeatedly associated with multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. During the 2nd European Congress of Immunology ECI 2009 held in Berlin, Francesca Aloisi, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, will present new data that further support the link. In the brain lesions of patients with multiple sclerosis her team found abnormal accumulation of EBV infected B lymphocytes.

14 Sep 2009

Preliminary results of Phase 2b clinical trial of AZ-104 announced by Alexza Pharmaceuticals

Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALXA) today announced preliminary results from its 366 patient Phase 2b clinical trial of AZ-104 (Staccato(R) loxapine) in patients with migraine headache.

14 Sep 2009

Final results of SAPHRIS clinical study released

Schering-Plough Corporation today reported final results of a SAPHRIS(R) (asenapine) long-term schizophrenia relapse prevention clinical study.

14 Sep 2009

Phase IIa clinical data of EHT 0202 released

Top-line Phase IIa clinical data released today demonstrate that EHT 0202, ExonHit’s lead candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, is safe and generally well tolerated in patients and that it could potentially enhance cognition in Alzheimer’s disease patients.

14 Sep 2009

Phase III STARTMRK clinical study on ISENTRESS in comparison to efavirenz

ISENTRESS , an integrase inhibitor from Merck & Co., Inc., was studied in comparison to efavirenz in maintaining viral load suppression to undetectable levels (less than 50 copies/mL) and at improving CD4 cell counts in previously untreated (treatment-naïve) HIV-1-infected patients through 96 weeks in a Phase III study called STARTMRK.

14 Sep 2009

Natus Medical to purchase Alpine Biomed Holdings

Natus Medical Incorporated today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Alpine Biomed Holdings Corp in a transaction that is expected to close today.

14 Sep 2009